Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an emerging infectious disease in South America transmitted by mosquitos. VEEV usually resides in forest and swamp areas where human populations are limited, however, VEEV has the potential to cause epidemics in humans and equines. LDLRAD3 has been found to be a novel entry receptor for VEEV.
LDLRAD3 knockout mice were generated via CRISPR deletion of different coding regions of LDLRAD3. The LDLRAD3 knockout mice are resistant to VEEV infection.